Malé Kosihy (Ipolykiskeszi)

The beautifully situated settlement is situated at the western foothills of the Börzsöny, along the Ipoly river. As the river is extremely rich in fish, Ipolykiskeszi is a popular fishing spot. The dominant and most important building of the village, the Roman Catholic Church of St. Michael the Archangel, stands on the riverside hilltop. Interestingly, the 12th-century Árpád-era rotunda church has been renovated and rebuilt around it. The church’s circular sanctuary still has the original semicircular window recesses, and the interior still has its original frescoes. Its medieval “Turkish Castle” was built on a strategic hill along the river, where tradition has it that the Hungarian conquerors had a castle and defended it for a long time against the spread of Christianity. Today, its remains are less visible. There is a nature reserve marshy area next to the settlement.